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Description

Watermark:

Mieszko I. Denomination 10.

Avers:

The engraving on banknote is based after this portrait of Mieszko I by polish painter Jan Matejko, date of portrait - XIX century.

Mieszko I (ca. 940 - 25 May 992) was the ruler of the Polans from about 960 until his death. A member of the Piast dynasty, he was son of Siemomysł, grandchild of Lestek, father of I the Bolesław I the Brave, the first crowned King of Poland; likely father of Świętosława (Sigrid), a Nordic Queen; and grandfather of her son, Cnut the Great.

The first historical ruler of Poland, Mieszko I is considered the de facto creator of the Polish state. He continued the policy of both his father and grandfather, who were rulers of the pagan tribes located in the area of present Greater Poland. Either through alliances or by use of military force, Mieszko extended the ongoing conquests and early in his reign subordinated Kuyavia and probably Gdańsk Pomerania and Masovia. For most of his reign, Mieszko I was involved in warfare for the control of Western Pomerania, eventually conquering it up to the vicinity of the lower Oder. During the last years of his life he fought the Bohemian state, winning Silesia and probably Lesser Poland.

Polish coat of arms is centered.

The White Eagle (Polish: Orzeł Biały) is the national coat of arms of Poland. It is a stylized white eagle with a golden beak and talons, and wearing a golden crown, in a red shield.

The White Eagle emblem originated when Poland's legendary founder Lech saw a white eagle's nest. When he looked at the bird, a ray of sunshine from the red setting sun fell on its wings, so they appeared tipped with gold, the rest of the eagle was pure white. He was delighted and decided to settle there and placed the eagle on his emblem. He also named the place Gniezdno (currently Gniezno) from the Polish word gniazdo ("nest").

On the right side is a plastic window, under are stylized leafs of oak.

Lower left is a Braille symbol for the visually impaired (a square).

Denomination in numeral is on the left side and in top right corner, in words also on the left side.

Revers:

The coin - Polish silver denarius, which had circulated in times of Mieszko I.

During his reign, about 970, was launched silver denarius (performed by chisel hammer). On the obverse is usually placed image of the chapel or temple, and on the reverse - an equilateral cross. Weight of the coin was a little more than 1.6 grams of silver, diameter - 18-20 mm. The basis of the monetary system was a pound (about 387 grams). Prior to this, the basis of the money supply were mainly Western European and Arab coins. Today, there are about 50 pieces of coins Mieszko I.

The first mint in Poland was opened in Gniezno. In Poznan began chasing under Bishop Jordan (968-982). These were the denarius with a cross and the temple ("swiatynia"). Next came under Bishop Unger (982-1012), were smaller and carried the image of the cross and the chapel ("kapliczka").

The legend denars name Mieszko I wrote it as "MESICO". Just was called and Mieszko II, which leads to ambiguity in determining accessories coin one or the other of them. (www.munze.ru rus.)

Denominations in numerals are in top right and lower left corners, lower right also in words.